City Councilor Kerry Winterson: ‘I Am Running For Mayor’

NEW BEDFORD- Ward-Five City Councilor Kerry Winterson announced he will be campaigning to be the next Mayor of New Bedford in the middle of a City-Council session Thursday.

Winterson, who is serving his last term as Councilor of New Bedford's Ward Five, said he's been planning for his retirement in the coming months and hadn't seriously considered starting a campaign until recently.

"I didn't have any intentions on thinking about running for mayor and what-not. Im going to take my nomination papers out, theres no doubt I'm going to."

Councilor Winterson also explained his interest in joining the election, citing the rise of crime in the city as well as what he perceives as the current administrations "lack of concentration" to areas other than downtown in New Bedford as primary motivators.

"There's a lot of things happening here that I'm not too happy about. I understand that the core of downtown as being a centralized area, with tourism and stuff. I get that concept"

"Its been bothering me for a while now is outside of that thirteen-block radius, particularly up in the North end, North Front Street" explained Winterson.

While Councilor Kerry Winterson prepares for the upcoming campaign, there has not yet been confirmation of Mayor Jon Mitchell seeking re-election.